Hello All,

Newbie to this forum here. I have a 2007 Dakota with the 3.7 liter engine and four wheel drive. The oil pan is pretty rusty and I am getting nervous. However, it looks like it will be a bear to replace as the front axle is right underneath the front of the pan. I am wondering whether there is any way of getting the pan out without lifting the engine (or engine and tranny) or removing the front axle. If not, would anyone know which would be the better option--unbolting the mounts and lifting the engine a couple of inches (with the tranny attached), or removing the front axle?

Thanks in advance for your advice.